A strong youth makes for a strong nation, a prosperous youth makes for a prosperous nation. Nara Shikamaru was currently receiving knowledge passed down from his father and grandfather, on how to negotiate, how to fight for Konoha's interests.
Nara Luming and Nara Shikaku even took out already signed agreements to show Nara Shikamaru. Nara Shikamaru quickly grasped the concepts and could extrapolate from them, making Nara Shikaku and Nara Luming's eyes light up.
In the afternoon, Nara Shikaku spoke, "Father, I think we can let Shikamaru handle a negotiation. I will oversee from the side." Nara Shikaku's eyes gleamed.
Nara Shikamaru did not speak, but looked somewhat joyfully at his grandfather. After all, among the three present, Nara Luming was the one with the highest official position and the deepest authority.
He was also the main person in charge of this operation. Even if Nara Shikamaru wanted to take initiative, he had to ask for Nara Luming's opinion first. Nara Luming pondered, seriously sizing up his eldest grandson.
Suddenly, he smiled at the corner of his mouth. "Since that's the case, Shikaku, I'll leave this matter to you. Remember to tell me the results after the negotiation." And so, Nara Luming finalized the matter.
Nara Shikaku's mouth curved upward. Nara Shikamaru's eyes held a bright light, his heart filled with excitement and a sense of challenge at that moment. He felt he must perform well to live up to his grandfather's expectations.
At that moment, the captain of the Security Division, Hyūga Hizashi, walked in. He opened the door and looked into the Hokage's office. Nara Luming sat on the sofa, Nara Shikaku sat at the desk, and Nara Shikamaru stood on the floor. The three generations simultaneously looked at Hyūga Hizashi.
Hyūga Hizashi couldn't help but be distracted for a moment. Nara Luming and Nara Shikaku were one thing, but Nara Shikamaru, who looked to be only about seven or eight years old, seemed slightly out of place appearing in the Hokage's office.
However, Hyūga Hizashi quickly regained his composure. He walked towards Nara Luming and cupped his hands. "Lord Luming, the daimyō and their advisors from various countries are already waiting in the two small conference rooms outside."
Nara Luming looked at Hyūga Hizashi with appreciation. Thinking back, this young man had also started striving from a young age. Because of his branch family status, he desperately wanted to join the Konoha Security Division to prove his worth.
Back then, he was probably about the same age as Shikamaru, maybe even younger. Among a group of adult shinobi, he was weak, but he didn't give up. Whenever there was a chance, he fought on the front lines protecting Konoha's peace.
He deeply earned the trust and reliance of Uchiha Ryun. In less than a year, he became one of the small team leaders in the Security Division, commanding about ten people, including members of the Uchiha clan.
The Uchiha clan had always been arrogant, but the Uchiha under Hyūga Hizashi's command not only obeyed orders, but held him in the highest respect.
The reason was simple. Hyūga Hizashi arrived at his post two hours early, worked overtime until eight at night. If a new member joined, he would actively adjust shifts, personally accompanying them to ensure nothing happened to the newcomer.
Only after the newcomer became experienced would he start to rest. This was something even few Uchiha clan shinobi could achieve. At that time, the Hizashi team of the Security Division was consistently rated as the best Security Corps police unit.
In the eyes of the common people, Hyūga Hizashi was also a responsible police officer. He performed his duties diligently, and dealt with criminals with a heavy fist.
His Gentle Fist technique had dispatched who knows how many criminals and spies.
Now it seemed Hizashi was also a rare young hero.
Nara Luming said with a smile, "Good, we'll set off immediately. By the way, could I trouble you with one thing, Hizashi?" Nara Luming said cheerfully.
Hyūga Hizashi hurriedly cupped his hands. "What kind of talk is this, Lord Hokage? You have labored over Konoha's governance for half your life, one of the people I respect most. Not just one thing, even a hundred things, I, Hyūga Hizashi, would not even blink."
Nara Luming nodded. "The ones negotiating later will be me and Nara Shikamaru." After saying this, he looked at his young grandson. Hyūga Hizashi was stunned. Shouldn't it be Nara Shikaku?
But he didn't say anything, only reacted internally. This made Nara Luming nod. Unmoved by favor or disgrace, this mental fortitude already surpassed 80 percent of Konoha's shinobi and villagers.
"I'd like to ask you to protect the father and son later." Nara Luming said with a smile.
Hyūga Hizashi nodded. "I understand, Lord Hokage. Rest assured, I will definitely protect the safety of Comrade Shikamaru and Comrade Shikaku."
The use of 'comrade' was good. It indicated he wasn't looking at Nara Shikamaru with prejudiced eyes, at least not on the surface. This was another point that made Nara Luming happy.
He patted Hyūga Hizashi's shoulder. "It will soon be time for Security Division officers to be promoted. Actually, I have no objections to you becoming a captain. I was even planning to actively recommend you to the Hokage."
Upon hearing this, Hyūga Hizashi's expression shifted. He couldn't suppress the upward curve of his mouth, taking a deep breath. "Hizashi will definitely live up to the expectations of the Hokage and Lord Luming."
Nara Luming said with a smile, "Alright, go back to work."
"Yes. You two, please follow me." Hyūga Hizashi, with a smile on his face, walked with an energetic step.
Nara Shikamaru couldn't help but sigh. His grandfather's methods were truly formidable. With just one sentence, an empty promise, he could make Hyūga Hizashi dizzy with delight, even uncontrollably happy.
But what he didn't know was his grandfather's status in Uchiha Ryun's heart. If he knew, he definitely wouldn't think this way. Because Hokage Uchiha Ryun basically didn't come to work. Administrative affairs were all handed over to Nara Luming.
Some might ask if Uchiha Ryun could be sidelined? Let's put it this way. Uchiha Ryun's strength was number one in the world, and all Kage-level powerhouses only took orders from Uchiha Ryun alone.
Without his nod, Luming couldn't mobilize them. This was equivalent to controlling the high-end combat power. And in the hearts of the shinobi and villagers, Uchiha Ryun was Konoha's guardian deity. With one order from him, even common people without any strength would pick up wooden clubs and fight with him.
As for governance, it wasn't that Uchiha Ryun couldn't handle it. He just found it troublesome. Moreover, Luming handled everything in perfect order. Promotions and demotions were all reasonable and justified, making the officials convinced. This was the root of Luming's great authority.
But Nara Luming understood. He served Hokage Uchiha Ryun. Although his authority was great, he couldn't abuse his power. Mainly, among this promotion list were three candidates, one of them being Hyūga Hizashi.
Hyūga Hizashi was also very close to the Hokage. So, by doing a favor, even if Hokage Uchiha Ryun learned of this matter, he wouldn't say anything or express an opinion.
This was the art of leadership speech. For example, if your leader tells you, "I fought with all my might to get this for you." In reality, this was what you deserved. He made you owe him a favor without you even realizing it.
Such things were everywhere.
Afterwards, Nara Luming, with a smile on his face, arrived at another conference room under the protection of another Anbu shinobi.
The Daimyō of the Land of Shadow sat down in the seat at the negotiation table facing away from the door. He said to his subordinate with a smile, "As long as we negotiate successfully with Konoha, it can guarantee at least a hundred years of peace for our Land of Shadow."
That subordinate flattered, "The Daimyō is wise." He thought the same in his heart. Uchiha Ryun's domineering manner, forcefulness, and revolutionary strength and strategy had already proven to the world.
Konoha was the strongest, the orthodox of the shinobi world. Those who comply prosper, those who resist perish.
Under this general trend, visits from various countries naturally became inevitable.
But soon his expression changed. Because sitting across from him was a wet-behind-the-ears brat. Nara Shikamaru. And Nara Shikaku sat across from his own subordinate, with Hyūga Hizashi guarding behind the two.
"Lord Shikaku, I think there might be some mistake?" The Land of Shadow Daimyō forced down his anger and didn't lash out, instead looking at Nara Shikaku beside him. Before coming to Konoha, he had inquired about the Luming father and son.
He thought even if it wasn't Nara Luming, Konoha's Vice-Hokage, receiving him, at least his son meeting him would be acceptable. But he never expected a little child would now be sitting across from him.
If not for fearing Konoha's strength, the Land of Shadow Daimyō might have flipped the table right then.
But Nara Shikaku said calmly, "No mistake. This is the Konoha representative who will discuss the contract with you tonight. Does the Daimyō perhaps distrust Konoha?"
The Land of Shadow Daimyō gritted his teeth, somewhat unable to control his emotions. At that moment, Hyūga Hizashi struck out with an Eight Trigrams Empty Palm, punching the conference room door off its hinges with one blow, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
They all looked at the situation inside the door. Some even gloated. The Land of Shadow Daimyō had offended Konoha. Their country was probably going to be destroyed.
The Land of Shadow Daimyō's face paled. But forced by strength, he finally quieted down. Hyūga Hizashi also retracted his hand and stood behind Nara Shikamaru.
Then. The Daimyō's subordinate tugged at the Daimyō's sleeve. "Daimyō, hold back. The impetuous spoil great plans. And this might not be a bad thing."
The Land of Shadow Daimyō was moved. He looked at his subordinate. "What do you mean?"
His subordinate leaned close to the Daimyō's ear and explained the pros and cons. The next moment, the Land of Shadow Daimyō's look of humiliation disappeared, replaced by delight. He proactively said, "Your village truly produces heroes from among the youth. In that case, shall we begin negotiations?"
His subordinate had just told him, now that the negotiation counterpart was a wet-behind-the-ears brat, they could seize the opportunity to gain more benefits. What did a little child understand? As long as they applied a little guidance and appropriate pressure...
The Land of Shadow Daimyō suddenly realized and looked at Nara Shikamaru. With Nara Shikamaru's intelligence, he could guess with his toes why the Land of Shadow Daimyō was first arrogant and then respectful.
Fine. Then play along with the scheme. You want to use my youth to make me concede. Then I'll deliberately show weakness, act pitiful, and use Konoha's power to extort a heavy price from you.
And so the two sides began negotiations. Nara Shikamaru showed no timidity. His words even carried confidence and just the right amount of threat, putting the Land of Shadow Daimyō through agony, forcing constant concessions. The subordinate beside him kept wiping sweat.
Those outside could clearly hear the conversation inside. Now they looked at Nara Shikamaru with gravity and reverence. Indeed, Konoha produced heroes from among the youth.
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